Railway switch



Feb. 23 1926.

F. M. FREEBURG RAILWAY SWITCH Filed April 25 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l F. M, FREEBURG HA'ILWAY SWITCH Filed April 25, 1925 2 sheetsfsheet 2 INVENTOR Frank M. Freebwr A TORNE Y YPatented Feb. 23, v1926.

^ Unirse STATES FRANK IVI. FREEB'URG, OF PHILADELPHA., PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

Application filed April 25, 1925. Serial No. 25,807.

. To all whom t may concer/n:

Ee it l-:nown that I, FRANK M. FnnnnUnc, a citizen ot the United States, residing at lhiladelz-hia, in the county ot' Philadelphia and Stare ot Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Switches, ot which thc following is a specification.

, invention relates to improvements in railv-.f'ay switches wherein are employed a main rail and a branch rail leading therefrom; said rails comprising main tread and guard surfaces having a groove formed between said surface. Jor the wheel flanges, andv switch rails, or risers, are provided in said grooves, which are adjustable vertically to the level of the tread surface of the trac-las, or lowered to the level of the bottom ot said grooves to control the direction of travel o car wheels relatively to the main and branch tracks. The object ot my invention is to provide a novel switch of this character having switch rails which are movable in a novel manner; a further object of my invention is to provide novel mechanism for shifting the switch rails; a still further object of my in vention is to provide a switch in which the switch rails are lsupported upon a rigid base when in either the raised or lowered positions; and a still further object of my inventionis to provide means for automati- ,cally depressing a switch rail by the action a car wheel, trailing, or passing over the switch in the opposite direction i'roin the direction ott travel ,which the switch is intended to control.

v. ith these and other objects in view, my

section 1, drawn on a larger Betel-rino to the drawings, 12 designates the frame orl the switch structure having the inain track groove 13 and the branch track groove 15 formed therein, said groove adapted to receive the car wheel flanges in the usual manner. The trame 12 forming the. switch structure is provided with main tread portions 17 and 18 forming sections oi the main and branch rails oi' the switch, respectively, and located on the outside ot' said grooves 13 and 15. The switch structureis also provided with the usual guard portions 19 and 20, extending parallel with said 'tread portions and located upon the inner side of said grooves 13 and 15. One end of the guard portion Q0 ot the branch rail converges with the tread portion 17 of the main rail and forms the irog point 21. The outer ends of the main and brunch tracks of the switch structure are adapted to be connected with additional rail sections in the usual manner.

Located within the grooves 13 and 15 are switch rails, or risers 22 and E23, respectively, which are movable vertically and guided between the vertical walls oi the main and guard portions of the rails. Said switch rail 22 is pivotally mounted upon the traine 12 by linlts 5 and 26, and the switch rail is pivotally mounted upon the frame by links Q8 and Q9. Said links are located at opposite ends of each switch bar. Thus the latter will have a circulatory motion and they will always be maintained parallel with the top surtace of the main and guard portions o'f the rails.

The switch rails and 23 are interconnected by operating mechanism so that they will be alternately raised and lowered, whereby the top s `ace of one switch rail will a. um@ a position on a level with the tread ani lfir-.ard surfaces of the main and branch rails and the other switch rail will assume u position having` its top surface on a level with the bottom surface of said grooves lf3 and l5.

The traine 12 of the switch is provided with vertical slots 30 and 3l which are occupied by the switch rails 22 and 23. Said slots entend. throughout the length o'l' the switch rails and slightly beyond the ends ot' the latter', to provide 't'or the necessary longitudinal movement ot the switch rails. Said slots SO and 31 are in alignment with the grooves 13 and 15 ot the main and branch rails, so that when a switch rail is depressed into one ot said slots, a groove is formed above the switch rail, thus tormlng a continuation of said grooves 13 or 15,` for the passage of the wheel flange over the.

' the surface. et the main tread and guard portions 17 and 19, and also the branch tread and guard portions 18 and 20.

The switch rail ,3 is also pointed and has a vertical .wall 34, which latter when the switch rail is raised, and the switch rail 22 is lowered, connects with, or forms a continuation ot, the vertical wall oi the tread portion 17 ot the main rail and the vertical wall of the frog point 21 in alignment with the main groove 13, thus forming a continuous groove between the main track grooves 13 at opposite ends ot the switch, and adapted to direct a wheel iiange along the main track and prevent the wheel from 'following the branch tiack. The top surface ot the switch rail 23 when raised, is on the same level with the tread surfaces or" the frog point 2l and of the tread surface 17 of the main track, at opposite ends of the switch,

thus forming a continuous tread surface adapted to support a wheel passing over the switch in the line of the main track.

The switch trame 12 is constructed with cross-ribs 36 adapted to support the switch rails 22 and 23. Between said cross-ribs 36, the traine is ot open construction, thus the slots 30 and 31, in which the switch rails are positioned, are open at the bottoni, vwith the exception ot' said cross-ribs 36, permitting dirt andwater to pass through the slots and not interfere with the movements of the switch rails. Stones, or bolts, ita-lling upon the top ot' the switch rails will be lifted above the surface or the rails and will not interfere with the raising and lowering o'lI the switch rails.

The mechanism for operating the switch rails 22 and 23 consists of the links 25 and 26 pivotally connected to the switch rail 22 by pins 33 and 39. The links 23 and 29 are pivotally connected with the switch rail by pinsr40 and 41. The links 25 and 23 located adjacent to the point ends of the switch rails are rotatably mounted upon a shaft 43 secured in bearings 44 and 45 formed upon the switch frame, as shown in Figs. 2 end 4. The links 26 and 29,' located at the The top surface oi the switch heel ends ot' the switch rails are rigidly mounted upon the square portions of a shaft 46, rotatably mounted in bearings 47 and 48 formed upon the switch frame 12, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. A segmental arm 50 is secured to one end ol the shaft 46, adapted for rocking the shaft to alternately raise and lower they switch rails 22 and 23, into the dili'erent positions, as Vshown in Figs. 5 and 7. Said arm 50 is provided with a socket 51 adapted to have an operating handle 52 inserted therein tor ope 'ating the switch. A pin 53 is provided upon the arm 50 and terms a point of attachment for a spring 54 which is also connected to a part 55 on the traine l2 located directly below the shaft 46, as shown in Fig. 3, whereb7 the spring will tend to throw the arm 50 to its eXtreme positions. Any other well known torni of mechanismgjlior shitting the switch may be employed without departing from my inven- `23 is provided with downwardly extending lugs 53 and 59, respectively. rlhe bottom surfaces oi? said lugs 53 and 59 rest upon the top ot the cross-ribs 36, when the switch rails are in the raised position. rfhe switch rail 22 is shown in Figs. 2 and 5, in the raised position, with its lugs 53 resting upon the top of' the cross-ribs 36. lhen the switch is reversed trom the position shown in Fig. 2, 'the links 25 and 28, connected with the switch rails 22 and 23, will move about the shaft 43, and the links 26` and 29will move about the shaft 46, anti-clockwise. pivot pins 33 and 39 connecting the links 25 and 26 with the switch rail 22 are positioned slightly to the right ot the vertical center lines above the shafts and 46, as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, the tirst movement of the links 25 and 26 will 'tend to litt the lugs 53 of the switch rail 22 oiin the cross-rib 36, so that the lug 58 will move i'ree oit the cross-ribs 36 and permit the switch rail 22 to swing down until its under surfaces 56 rest upon the cross-ribs 36.

`ciimultaneously with this movement of the switch bar 22 the links 23 and 29 are lifting the vswitch rail 23. Said links 26 and 29 being rigidly connectedl upon the shaft 46 will rotate as av unit, anti-clockwise, about said shatt 46, from the position shown in Fig. L. llhen the pins 40 and 41 of the links 28 and 29 are directly above the shatts 43 and 46, the lugs 59 will swing clear ot the cross-ribs 36 and when said links pass to the leftof the vertical center line (Fig. 2) above the shafts 43 and 46 the lugs 59 The lili.)

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will rest upon the cross-ribs 36. It will be seen that the switch rails 22 and 23 are supported upon the cross-ribs 36 when in either the raised or lowered positions and the links are thus relieved of any strain due to the wheels passing over the switch.

The switch rails 22 and 23 are provided at their opposite ends with downwardly inclined top surfaces 60 and 61, which bring the eatreine ends of the switch rails slightlyv below the tread surfaces of the niain and hianch tracks and thus relieve the ends of tlf-e switch rails of the load of the wheels theyv roll upon the switch rails. lilechanisin is provided for depressing the switch rails 22 and 23 automatically by the action of a wheel passing over the switch in the reverse direction, or what is known trailing the switch. Said shifting mechanism consists of operating dogs 63 and 64, secured upon a shaft 65, pivotally :mounted in the switch frame 12. The dog 63 is' located in the groove in which the switch rail 22 is located and positioned in alignment with the heel end ofthe switch ail 22 and with the groove 13 of the inain rail.V The dog 64 is located in the slot in which the switch rail 23 is located and positioned adjacent to the heel of the switch rail 23 and in alignment with the groove 15 of the branch rail 18. lVhen the switch rail 23 is lowered, the free end of the dog 64 is nearly on a level with the bottoni of the groove 15, as shown in Fig. 2, thus permitting the flange of the wheel to pass freelv over the dog 64. Figure 2 shows the heel end of the switch rail 22 in dotted lines, in he raised position, and the dog 63 in the raised position, with its highest portion thereof level with the tread surface of the rails. The dog 63, in the raised position, thus occupies a position in alignment with the groove 13 of the niain rail. lNhen a wheel passes in the direction of the arrow A, the liange of the wheel will roll upon and depress the free end of the dog 63 and roch the shaft 65.

An arin 67 is rigidly secured upon the shaft 65. A connecting har 68 pivotally vconnects the arm 67 with an arno 69 rigidly secured upon the shaft 46. When the shaft is rocked by a wheel flange depressing a dog 63, or 64, the shafts 65 and 46 will he rotated and depress the switch rail which in alignment with the dog acted upon h v the. wheel flange, thus allowing the wheel flange to pass over the switch without riding up over the switch rail, due to the switch rail having heen thus shifted to the lower position by action of a dog 63 or 64.-. When one switch rail is depressed, the other switch Vrail is raised and the dog which is in alignnient with the latter rail is also raised. l-sfhen the switch is operated by the hand lever 52 the dogs 63 and 64C are also operated automatically by the connecting har 65, as above described. i

rlihe fraine 12 is proifided with wehs 70 extending longitudinally for bracing the structure. The slots 30 and 3l foi-ined in said frame for the switch rails 22 and 223 are necessarily longer than the switch rails or;- account of the longitudinal ino'v'elnents oi" said rails, and to avoid having these spaces exposed and unoccupied ineans for filling said spaces are provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and The point of the switch rail 22 is provided with an extension, or finger 71, which extends under the portion 'T2 of the franie 12` which forins the hottoin of the groove 153. fnaid linger Tl fills the space when the switch rail 22 raised, as shown in Fig. 2, and when depressed the .linger 7l swings under the said portion T2. The frame 12 is provided with an extension T23 located adjacent to the point of the switch rail. 23. Said extension 73 fills the space between the end of the switch rail 23 and the portion 72, as shown in Fig. 2. he end of the extension 73 is inclined downwardly to permit the end of the switch rail 23 to ride over the saine when said rail 2S is raised. The opposite ends of the switch rails 22 and 23 are provided with downwardly inclined lingers '7% and 75, respecti rely. Said fingers are adapted to fit cloself; to the under portions of the dogs 63 and 64:, and thus fill the spaces which would otherwise be formed when the switch rails are in their different positions. The dog (-i is provided with an extra arni 76 adapted for filling the space at the end of the switch ail 3.

The operation of iny improved switch is follows i'Vhen the handle is in the position shown in Fig. 8, the switch rail is in the raised position and the switch rail 23 is depressed, and the dogs 63 and 64 are in corresponding positions. The groove 15 is thus open from the inain rail groove l?) through the switch to the branch rail 16. The vertical face 33 of the ais-ed switch ail 22 will direct the flange of a wheel through said groove. Should a wheel pass over the main rail groove 13, in the direction of the arrow A, Fig. l., the flange of the wheel will depress the dog 63 which will cause the switch rail to he depressed and thus forni a free passage for the wheel flange through the groove 13 of the inain rail. iVhen the switch is thus shifted hv the dog 63 being depressed or h v shifting the handle 52 to the reverse position, the switch rail 22 will he depressed and the switch rail 23 and the dog 64 will he raised. The vert-ical face 3st of the switch rail 23 will direct the flange of a wheel through the switch in the line of the groove 13 of the main rails and prevent the wheel from passing to the branch track 18. A wheel passing from the branch track 18 in the direct-ion ofrarrow 'A will strike the dog Gil and depress the same and thus depress the switch rail 23, thus allowing the wheel to pass over the switch rail 23 without riding upon thesame. Y p

My improved switch makes Vit impossible for the trucks of a. car to split and go over the wrong rails of the switch. The switch rails 'are fullysupported upon the frame, thus relieving the operating mechanism of the weight of the wheels; Vand the usual pivot' joints atthe heel of the switch rails, such as used heretofore in switches, are eliminated.

I claim l. In a railway switch, the combination of a main rail, a branch'rail leading'therefrom, and a pivot-ed switch rail movable vertically and longitudinally adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively tosaid main and branch rails.

In a railway switch, the combination of a main rail, a'branch rail leading therefrom, a vertically and longitudinally movable switch rail adapted-to control the passage of a car wheel relatively to themain rail and the branch rail, and a member pivotally associated with the switch rail adapted for swinging' the switch rail in a vertical plane into the raised and lowered positions relatively to said rails.

3. VA railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a switch rail adaptedA to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, a link pivotallyl associated with said switch rail and with said frame adapted for'swinging the switch rail ina vertical plane intovthe raised and loweredpositions relatively to said main and branch rails.

Ll. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a. branch rail leading therefrom, .a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a switch rail kadapted to control the'passage of'car kwheels relatively to said ymain and branch rails, a link pivotally associated with said 'switch rail and with said vframe adapted for swinging the switch rail in a vertical plane into the raised and lowered positions relatively to said main and branch tracks, and a bearing part upon said frame adaptedto support said switch rail in the raised position and relieve the link'of the load of a wheel passing over the switch rail.

5. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a. branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said' rails are mounted, aswitch rail adapted to control the passage of car whe-els relatively vto said'inain and branch rails, a link pivotally. associated with said switchrail and with said frame adapted forvswingfing.the switch rail in a vertical-planeinto the raised and lowered positions relatively to said main and branch tracks, anda bearing part'k upon said frame adapted to support said switch rail in the raised-or lowered positions and relieve the link of the load of a wheel passing over the switchrail.

G. A railway switch comprising a main rail, .a banch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a switch rail adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main andv branch rails,- a link pivotally associated with said switch rail and with said frame adapted for swinging the switch rail-iii a vertical .Plane into the raised and lowered positions relatively to said main andbranch tracks, and a bearing part upon said frame adapted tosupport said switch r-ail in the raised position, and said link being so positioned in relation. to its pivotal bearing upon said frame that the initial .movement of the link will lift the switch rail olf said bearing part ofthe frame and the linal movement of the link will lower the switch rail so that another portion thereof will rest upon said bearing part and support the switch rail in the lowered position.

7. A r-ailway switch comprising a main rail, a branch iailleading therefrom, aframe uponwhicli said rails are mounted, a switch rail adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, a link pivotally associated with said' switch rail and with said frame adapted for swinging the-switch rail in a vertical plane into the raised and.lowered'positions relatively lto said main and branch tracks, a transverse .rib .upon said frame positioned below said switch rail,l and' said switch rail having .portions thereof located in different horizontal planesin relation to the plane of the top surface of the switch rail adapted to .rest upon said rib when the switch rai-l is iii the raised or lowered position and relieve said link of the load of a wheel passing' over the switch rail.

8. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a switch rail adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, a link pivotally associated with said switch rail and with said frame adapted for swinging the switch rail in a vertical plane linto the raised and lowered positions rela- -tively to said main and branch tracks, a

transverse ribA upon said frame positioned below said switch rail, said switch rail hav- ,ing high and low `portionsupon the under surface thereof adapted to rest upon said rib, and said link being so positioned that it will lift the switch rail off .said rib during itsmovementsand` allow said high or 'lowportion of said switch rail to rest upon position, a link having a pivot point upon Y said frame and a pivotal connection with Cil said switch rail, said link being so positioned that the pivotal connection between the link and the switch rail will pass over and beyond a point directly above said pivot point of the `link with the frame whereby the switch rail may be entirely supported upon said bearing part of the frame lObA railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a switch rail movable vertically and longitudinally adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, a lug upon the under surface of said switch irail, a bearing part upon said frame upon Vwhich said lug is adapted to rest when the switch rail is in the raised postition, a link rpivotally connecting the switch railv with .said frame, and said link being so positioned in relation to its pivot point upon said frame that said lug will swing free of the said bearing part of the frame during the movements of the switch rail.

11. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading` therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a switch 4rail movable vertically and longitudinally adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively `to said main and branch rails, a link pivotally connecting the switch rail with the frame, a bearing part upon the frame adapted to support the switch rail in its lowered position, and a lug upon the under side of said switch rail adapted to rest upon said bearing part of the frame when the switch rail is in the raised position.

12. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading` therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, switch rai-ls adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branchrails, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, links having one end thereof rigidly mounted upon said shaft and pivotally associated with said switch rails at their opposite ends, and said links being arranged upon said shaft in different radial positions whereby the switch rail connected upon one of said links will be in the raised position and the other switch rail will be in the lowered position in relation to said main and branchrals; f

13. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a. branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, switch rails adapted to control the passage of ear wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, links having one end thereof rigidly mounted upon said shaft and pivotally associated with said switch rails at their opposite ends, said links being arranged upon said shaft in different radial positions, and an arm secured upon said shaft adapted for rocking the latter for simultaneously swinging the switch rails upon said links into the raised and lowered positions relatively to the main and branch rails.

14. A railwayswitch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leadingl therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, switch rails adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, links having one end thereof rigidly mounted upon said shaft and pivot-ally associated with said switch rails at their opposite ends, an arm secured upon said shaft adapted for rocking the saine for raising and lowering the switch rails by swingingl said links into different radial positions, and a spring interposed between said arm and said frame tending to move said arm in either direction from a central position in relation to said shaft.

15. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading` therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, switch rails adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, links having one end thereof rigidly mounted upon saidshaft and pivotally associated with said switch rails at their opposite ends, said links being arranged upon said shaft in different radial positions, and a bearing part upon said frame adapted to support the switch rails in the raised or lowered positions relatively to the main and branch rails.

16. A railway switch comprising a inain rail, a branch rail leading therefroni, a frame upon which said rails' are iuounted, switch rails adapted to control the passage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, links having one end thereof rigidly mounted upon said shaft and pirotally associated with said switch rails at their opposite ends, said links being arranged upon said shaft iii different radial positions, bearing parts upon said frame adapted to support a switch rail when in the lowered position, and a lug upon the under side of each switch rail adapted to rest upon said bearing part when a switch rail is .-in the raised position.Y Y I illu 17,. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon 'which said rails are mounted, a switch rail adapted to control the'passage of car lwheels relatively tosaid main and branch tracks, and links pivotally associated with opposite ends of said switch rail and pivotally mounted upon said frame adaptedfor yswitch rails adjacent tothe points thereof,

a, shaft` mounted inthe frame upon which said links are pivotally mounted, links pivotal'lyconnected with the opposite ends of Ysaid switch rails, and a shaft rotatably mounted in the frame upon which the last mentioned links are rigidly secured in different :adial positions whereby 'one switch rail will be in the raised position' when the other switch rail is in the' lowered position.

19. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rrails are mounted, a switch rail adapted to control thepassage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch tr lys, links pivotally connected with said switch rail at Vopposite endsv thereof, earings in said frame in which said links "e pivotally mounted, and means for moving the switch and lower the switch rail.

'20. A railway switch comprising` a main rail, a branch rail leading tl'ieretrom,` a frame upon whichsaid rails Vare mounted, a-switch railV adapted to control thegp'assage of car wheels relatively to said main and branch tracks, links pivotally connected with said switch rail at opposite ends thereof, bearings in said frame in, which said links are pivotally mounted, transverse ribs upon said frame adapted to support'said switch rail in aV horizontal positionAY when swung upon said links'into the raised position relatively to the main and branch rails.

2l. A' railway'switch comprising a main rail, 'a branch rail leading therefrom,y a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a switch rail adapted to control lthe passage of carV wheels relatively to said main and branch tracks, 'links pivotal ly connected' with said switchrail atcpposite ends thereof,

bearings in said frame in which :said .linksv are' pivotally -n'io'unted', transverse ribs 'upon said framel adapted Itol support 'said' s vitch rail inla liriZonta'l position 'when .'lowered relatively t@ the main and* la .Qlr'lails and rail upon said links to Vraise lugs upon the under side of the switch rail adapted to rest upon said ribs when the switch rail is swungupon the links into a raised position parallel with the plane of the top surface of the main and branch rails. 22A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said railsare mounted, a switch rail adapted to be raised and-lowered to control'the passage of car wheels relatively tothe main. and branch rails, a part located adjacent to one end of the switch rail adapted to be depressed by a car wheel passing over' said part,`and mechanism operatively associated with said part and with said switch rail adapted to depress the latter lwhen said part is depressed.

23. Ay railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rails are mounted, a Iswitch rail adapted to be raised and loweredy to control the passage of car wheels `relatively to the main and branch rails, a part located adjacent to one end of the switch rail adapted to be raised and lowered simultaneously with the switch rail, and said part located, when in the raised position, in the path of a car wheel and adapted to depress the switch rail when 'acted upon bythe car wheel. '24. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frameupon which lsaid yrails are mounted, a switch rail adapted to be raised and -lowered to control the passage `of car V'wheels relatively to the main and branch rails, a dog pivotally mounted in 'said frame, said dog positionedadjacent to one endy ofthe switch railv and adapted to be engaged by a. car wheel approaching the switch rail, and

.mechanism operatively associated with the dog' and the switch rail adapted for simultaneously raising or lowering the dog yand the switch rail.

` '25. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefron'i, a frame upon which said rails Vare mounted, a switch rail adapted to be raised and flowered tol control the passage ot car wheels relativelyl tothe main 'and branch rails, a doglpivotally mounted in said frame adjacent to one end Vof the switch rail and in `the pathcf a car wheel approaching the ,switch rail when in the raised position, a

linkvjpivotally connecting `the switch rail witlrith'e frame, an'arm upon said link, an armnpon lsaid dog, and a connecting bar connected betweenV saidy arms p adapted to 'raiseor lower the Vswitch Vrail land the dog simultaneously.

' 26. A.' railway switch comprising a main r-ai l',-"aV branch rail 'leading therefrom, a

frameuponY which saidrailsl are; mounted,1a

"S'Wf'h rail adapted to 'be raised" and inwered to' central, the passage of car wl.

ly to the main and branch rails, a dog` pirotally mounted in said trame, said dogpositioned adjacent to one end et the switch rail and adapted to be engaged by a car wheel approaching the switch rail, mechanism operatively associated with the dogl and the 'switch rail for simultaneously raising or lowering the switch rail and the dog, a linl; pivotally associated with the 'trame and the switch rail upon which the latter is raised or lowered, and an extension upon the switch rail adapted to extend under the dog and occupy the. 'space between the dog and the switch rail when the latter is in the raised position.

' 27. A railway switch comprising,- a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a. trame upon which said rails a mounted, 'switch rails adapted to control the passage ot car wheels relatively to the main and branch tracks, links pivotally connected with the switch rails adjacent to the points thereof, said links piyotally mounted upon said "frame, links piyotally connected with the heel end oit each switch rail, a shattrotatably mounted in the trame upon which the last mentioned linlts are rigidly secured in dilerent radial positions whereby one switch will be in the raised position when the other switch is in the lowered position, dogs located adjacent to the heel end of each switch rail, a shaft rotatably mounted in the :trame upon which said dogs are secured in diti'erent radial positions adapted to be depressed by a car wheel approaching the switch rails and mechanism for rocking the shatt carrying the dogs simultaneously with the shaft carrying 'said links connected with the heel end of the switch rails.

28. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a frame upon which said rails arelmounted, a switch rail adapted to be raised and lowered to control the passage of car wheels relatively to the main and branch rails, 'said 'trame having` a slot form-ed therein adapted toVb-e occupied by the switch rail, a link pivotally connected with the switch rail and said iframe upon which link the switch rail is adapted to swing' in a vertical plane and overlap the portion ot the trame located ad jacent to the end of the slot.

29. A railway switch comprisingr a main rail, a branch rail leadingtherefrom, a 'trame upon which said rails are mounted, switch rails adapted to control the passage ot car wheels relatively to said main and branch rails, links pirotally connected with said switch ails and with said 'trame adapted lf'or swinging' the switch rails into the raised and lowered positions, said traine haring slots formed therein adapted to be occupied by said switch rails, a linger upon one switch rail adapted to extend under the lraine adjacent to the end ot said slot, and a linger upon said frame adapted to extend under the other one olf the switch rails.

30. A railway switch comprising a main rail, a branch rail leading therefrom, a traine upon which said rails are mounted, switch rails adapted for controlling the passage ot car wheels relatively to the main and branch tracks, said trame haring,l slots :termed therein in which said switch rails are positioned, links pivotally associated with said 'traine and with opposite ends oi the switch rails adapted for swinging the switch rails into the raised and lowered positions relatively to the main and branch rails, cross ribs upon the 't ame adapted to support said switch rails when in the lowered positions, lugs upon said switch rails adapted to rest upon said ribs when the switch rails are in the raised position, a 'shali't rotatably mounted in said traine to which a link ontl each switch rail is secured in a dilterent radial position adapted li'or simultaneously raising one switch rail and lowering;` the other switch rail, a part positioned adjacent to the end ol cach switch rail, and means operatively connecting said parts with said shalt adapted 'lor depressing a switch rail when one of said parts is acted upon by a car wheel approaching a switch rail.

ln testimony whereorc I al'v'ir; my signature hereto.

FRANK M. FREERURG. 

